Three-position tractive relay



A. B. KENDALL.

THREE POSITION TRACTIVE RELAY.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28. 1920.

1,433,95 1 Patented 0011.31, 1922.

Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALLEN B. KENDALL, OF HAYWOOD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO REGAN SAFETY DEVICES COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

THREE-POSITION TBACTIVE RELAY.

Application filed October as, 1920. Serial No. 420,237.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLEN B. KENDALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mavwood, in the county of Cook and State of llinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Three-Position Tractive Relays, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in three-position tractive relays, one object of the invention being the provision of a relay of this type in which switch actuated means assists in returning the armature to neutral position while electro-magnetic means is disposed to lock it in such position when both of the attracting electromagnets are tie-energized.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a device of this character which is particularly adapted for use in connection with train signal systems and train control systems, the same being a simple, durable and inexpensive construction and one which is thoroughly efiicient and practical in use.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan section and diagrammatic view of the complete relay with the armature in neutral or locked position.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the left hand electromagnet attracting the armature to a circuit closing position.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view one method of installation.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates the armature lever which is provided at its free end with the spring contacts 6 and 7 for engagement with tlie adjustable contacts 8 and 9, which may be suitably supported and mounted at any desired place, a spring 10 being adjustably connected as at 11 and attached to the armature for exerting a slight pull to the left as indicated. Carried by the lever 5 are the two armature plates 12 and 13 for cooperation with the respective electromagnets 14 and 15. The lower end of the lever 5 is provided with a journalling pin 16 which is suitably mounted so that the lever is held in vertical swinging position while fixedly connected thereto is the substantially Y-sha-ped weight actuating member 17'whose rounded terminals 18 and 19 are disposed to engage the cam portions 20 and 21 respectively of the vertically slidable and guided weight 22 showing which is assisted in its straight line movement by the roller 23. Also carried upon the shaft 16 is a circular disk 24 provided with a peripheral notch 25 for the reception of the hooked terminal 26 of the armature lock-. ing lever 27. The magnets 14 and 15 are so arranged that when current flows in one direction the electromagnet 14 is energized while the directional fiow of current in the opposite direction will energize the electromagnet 15, thus causing the lever 5 to be swayed from one side to the other and as the lock controlling magnet 28' is in series with both of the electroniagnets 14 and 15 and is of a t pe to be energized regardless of the direction of flow of current, the armature lock 27 is elevated so that the hook 26 is out of the locking recess 25 to permit the lever 5 to be swung in either position.

It will thus be seen that at the same time this action takes place the member 17 is locked so as to be slightly elevated, the sliding weight 22 thus being assisted in its movement to neutral position by the action of th weight pressing upon either one of the terminals 18 or 19 but inasmuch as the armature 27 is released by the de-energization of the electromagnet 28, the recess 25 is engaged by the lock 26 and the parts held in neutral position. The continued flow of current, however, due to the reversal thereof to one electromagnet 14 to the other 15 causes the electromagnet 28 to be energized and therefore the locking lever 27 to be elevated and permit of the free movement of the armature 5 from one side to the other.

A novel form of weight actuated means which assists in maintaining the armature in neutral position in combination with an electrical .lock is provided.

As shown in Figure 3 the electromagnet 14 is connected in series with the electromagnet 28 when the circuit is closed at 30 while the electromagnet 15 is placed in circuit therewith when the circuit is closed at 31.

Although springs 10 are shown in combination with the switch 22, where found desirable, either one may be dispensed with, the spring used only or the weight used to maintain the lever 5 in neutral position.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a three position tractive relay, the combination with two oppositely disposed electromagnets, an armature lever attrac Lively disposed thereto, a weight actuating member connected to the lever for elevating a weight due to the extreme movement of the armature in either direction, and an electromagnetic lock, the electromagnet of the same being in circuit with the first mentioned electromagnets, whereby the de-ener gization thereof will lock the lover in neutral position.

2. ln a three position tractive relay, the combination with two oppositely disposed electromagnets, an armature lever attractively disposed thereto. a weight actuating member connected to the lever for elevating a weight due to the extreme movement in either direction, an electromagnetic lock, the electromagnet of the same being in circuit with the first mentioned electromagnets, whereby the de-energization thereof will lock the lever in neutral position, and a vertical movable weight operably connected to the weight actuating means.

3. in a three position tractive relay, the combination with two oppositely disposed electromagnets, an armature lever attractively disposed thereto, a weight actuating member connected to the lever for elevating a weight due to the extreme movement in either direction, an electromagnetic lock, the electromagnet of the same being in circuit with the first mentioned electromagnets,

whereby the de-energization thereof will lock the lever in neutral position, said weight being a substantially Y-shapcd member, and a vertical slidable weight having an opening with two'cam shaped portions for cooperation with two terminals of the Y-shaped member, whereby the engagement of either one elevates the weight.

t. lln a three position tractive relay, the combination with two oppositely disposed electromagnets, an armature lever attrao tively disposed thereto, a weight actuating member connected to the lever for elevating a weight due to the extreme movement in either direction, an electromagnetic lock, the electroma net of the same being in circuit with the 'rst mentioned electromagnets. whereby the de-energization thereof will loclr the lever in neutral position, said weight being a substantially Y-shaped memher, a vertical slidable weight having an openlng with two cam shaped portions for cooperation with two terminals of the Y- shaped member, whereby the engagement of either one elevates the weight, a notched locking disk adjacent to the weight, and an electromagnetically actuated hook for engaging the same to lock the lever in neutral position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALLEN B. KENDALL. 

